Can I Bring Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen on a Plane?
TSA Rules for Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen on Airplanes
Carry-On Luggage
Yes, you can bring Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen in carry-on luggage, but special restrictions apply. See details below.
Checked Luggage
No, you cannot pack Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen in checked luggage. TSA prohibits this item in the cargo hold.
You may bring personal medical oxygen cylinders through the screening checkpoint and into the gate area. However, personal medical oxygen cylinders are not permitted in the aircraft cabin as they are considered hazardous materials by the Federal Aviation Administration. Please contact your airline for instructions on arranging oxygen service. Airlines are not required to provide oxygen service and many do not.
Traveling with Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen? Make sure to also check current TSA regulations and your airline's specific policies before your flight. For international travel, review international air travel restrictions as they may differ from domestic rules.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen
Can I bring Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen in my carry-on luggage?
You may bring personal medical oxygen cylinders through the screening checkpoint and into the gate area. However, personal medical oxygen cylinders are not permitted in the aircraft cabin as they are considered hazardous materials by the Federal Aviation Administration. Please contact your airline for instructions on arranging oxygen service. Airlines are not required to provide oxygen service and many do not.
Can I bring Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen in my checked luggage?
No, you cannot pack Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen in your checked luggage. You may bring personal medical oxygen cylinders through the screening checkpoint and into the gate area. However, personal medical oxygen cylinders are not permitted in the aircraft cabin as they are considered hazardous materials by the Federal Aviation Administration. Please contact your airline for instructions on arranging oxygen service. Airlines are not required to provide oxygen service and many do not.
What are the TSA regulations for Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen?
You may bring personal medical oxygen cylinders through the screening checkpoint and into the gate area. However, personal medical oxygen cylinders are not permitted in the aircraft cabin as they are considered hazardous materials by the Federal Aviation Administration. Please contact your airline for instructions on arranging oxygen service. Airlines are not required to provide oxygen service and many do not.
Are there any special considerations for Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen?
Medical items often have exemptions from standard TSA rules. Inform TSA officers at the security checkpoint that you have medically necessary items. Documentation from a physician is not required but may help facilitate the screening process.
Are the rules for Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen the same for international flights?
While the TSA rules apply to flights departing from or arriving in the United States, international flights may have additional restrictions based on the destination country and airline policies. Always check with your specific airline and destination country regulations for international flights involving Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen. Review our international travel guide for more details.
Do I need to declare Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen at security checkpoints?
For certain items, TSA requires travelers to declare them at security checkpoints. Even if Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen is permitted, it's always a good practice to inform TSA officers if you're carrying something unusual or that might raise questions during screening. This helps expedite the security process. Check our security screening guide for more information.
TSA Disclaimer
The information provided on this page about Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen is based on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines. Please note that TSA officers have the final say on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint. The TSA's decision may be based on concerns about the item, how the item appears on the X-ray, or other security concerns. All items are subject to additional screening.
Regulations can change. We recommend checking the official TSA website before your trip for the most current information.